Description:This course surveys the history of western philosophy from Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to the beginnings of modern philosophy in the work of Descartes. Students are introduced to the classic philosophical questions: What is truth? Beauty? Justice? What are the essential components of a good life? What are the proper roles of reason and the passions? While examining these questions, we also consider the nature of philosophy as a practice and how philosophical exercises and reflection take the philosopher beyond purely theoretical concerns. Students interested in thinking critically about reality, knowledge, mind and body, desire, and values will benefit from this class, a fundamental course for anyone interested in self-reflection and understanding the world. This course was formerly listed as NPHI3100. If you have previously taken that course, do not take NPHI2100; it is the same course and cannot be taken twice for credit.